Last year around this time, the mission was a bit simpler: Use Steve Cohen’s wallet, David Stearns’ salesmanship, a growing organizational reputation, and anything and anyone else available to woo Juan Soto. $765 million later, the Mets had cannonballed into the Winter Meetings with a splash.
As Stearns & Co. descend upon Orlando, Fla., this year for the annual meetings of baseball minds, the approach has become more multipronged.
Following an offseason of promise and a season devoid of it, the Mets have to patch over holes just about everywhere, notably at the top of their rotation, first base, at least one outfield spot and their bullpen.
Sometimes the Winter Meetings bring clarity — last December the Mets settled their right field spot for 15 years — and sometimes there are talks that don’t translate into action for weeks or months.
